At the Feet of the Eternal Fire Article and photographs by Erdem Yavasça (1999) The ancient city of Olympos, home of the eternal fire, is surrounded by sacred mountains hiding the remains of elegant civilizations. The Akdere Creek flows through the ancient city and carries with it all imaginable shades of green to the Mediterranean. And then there is the Çirali beach, home of the Caretta caretta.

In antiquity it was believed that Hephaistos' forge was underneath volcanoes, hence the building of temples on their tops. Ancient sources indicate that there was one such temple around Yanartas in Olympos, though this has yet to be confirmed with archaeological findings. Research undertaken by geologists indicates that the eternal flames result from the morphology of the region. In the underground depths, calcium sediments come into contact with serpentine and produces natural gas, which emerges out of openings in the ground.

Day breaks behind Karaburun in Çirali. Çirali beach, extending for three kilometers (2 mi.), is one of the few protected beaches where the Caretta caretta sea turtles lay their eggs. The beach is also rich in plant cover. Given its uniqueness, its has been categorized as a first or second priority preservation site.

Day breaks behind Karaburun in Çirali. Çirali beach, extending for three kilometers (2 mi.), is one of the few protected beaches where the Caretta caretta sea turtles lay their eggs. The beach is also rich in plant cover. Given its uniqueness, its has been categorized as a first or second priority preservation site.

Pine trees to the north of the beach. These trees are seen everywhere on the beaches around Antalya and illustrate the beauty of contrast, but only when there are a few of them on the beach. In essence, overpopulation of pine trees is not good for the environment on the beaches because it disrupts their natural evolution. Government agencies that busily try to plant pine trees here seem oblivious to this detail.

The Çirali Beach on a moonlit night. Caretta caretta return to these shores where they are born after they reach maturity to lay their eggs, having travelled thousands of miles to get here. This ritual that has continued for millions of years will continue to take place as long as we protect the environment on these beaches.